Michigan Insurance Fraud Awareness Coalition

Put the brakes on insurance fraud

Home
The Coalition
About Insurance Fraud
The Cost to You
Report Insurance Fraud
Fraud In the News
MIFAC News Releases
Consumer Tips
Links
Contact Us
Report Insurance Fraud

Insurance fraud is a felony in Michigan.  Help put insurance criminals behind bars by reporting this crime.


Insurance Fraud 1-800-835-6422

On the federal level, the insurance industry has formed the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).  This organization works with U.S., state and local law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute those individuals who profit by stealing from insurance companies and their policyholders.  Citizens who want to fight back against this crime can call the NICB toll-free telephone number (1-800-TEL-NICB) to report fraudulent acts.  Callers are eligible for awards.

Be alert to possible fraud schemes - If you are in a minor accident and, for example, someone gives you the name of a doctor or lawyer who can “make you some money” — or if a body shop mechanic offers to inflate the damage estimate, don’t just decline the offer and walk away.  These people might be trying to entice you into a fraudulent act.  Contact the police, notify your insurance agent or company representative, and maintain all your records.


Arson 1-800-442-7766

One way citizens can help fight this crime is to report it.  Since 1975, the Michigan Arson Prevention Committee has administered a statewide tip reward program to help put arsonists where they belong – behind bars.  Funded by insurance companies, the program has paid out $682,000 in rewards since its inception.  It has led to the arrest of 1,054 individuals on arson and related charges during that same time.
   
The Michigan Arson Prevention Committee's tip program pays up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest and/or conviction of arsonists.  Any citizen who has information about an incendiary or suspicious blaze can call 1-800-44-ARSON.


Auto Theft 1-800-242-4328

In Michigan, there is a tip reward program, funded by the insurance industry and administered by the Michigan Automobile Insurance Placement Facility, to catch car thieves.  Since its inception in 1985, tips to HEAT (Help Eliminate Auto Thefts) have led to the recovery of nearly $51 million in stolen property and the arrests of  3,300 suspects involved in auto theft rings, chop shops, carjackings, fraudulent car thefts, among other crimes. Also, HEAT has paid nearly $3.5 million in rewards over the last 20 years.

Anyone with information on auto theft, carjacking, chop shops and auto insurance fraud in Michigan is encouraged to call the H.E.A.T. tip line, 1-800-242-HEAT, to provide a confidential report. HEAT works with Michigan law enforcement agencies to follow up on tips. Tipsters are awarded up to $1,000 if their tip leads to the arrest and prosecution of a suspected car thief or a person suspected of auto theft-related insurance fraud. Rewards of up to $10,000 are issued if a tip results in the arrest and binding over for trial of a suspected theft ring or chop shop operators.  HEAT rewards up to $2,000 for information leading to the issuance of a warrant for a carjacking suspect. The HEAT tip line is monitored by the Michigan State Police and funded by Michigan’s auto insurance companies.